Beyond the Chu Kingdom's border, on the fringes of Great Heaven Mountain, a bone-chilling wind swept up flecks of frost and lashed two figures trudging through the snow.
Thick white bearskin cloaks wrapped them tightly, leaving only two pairs of eyes and half of each frost-reddened face visible beneath their hoods.
Even such specialized cold-weather gear could not completely shut out the bitter cold born of heaven and earth.
The cold on Great Heaven Mountain was not something ordinary spiritual power could withstand.
Ordinary Body-Protecting Spiritual Power was as flimsy as paper before the freezing gale winds. Only Demon Beast pelts containing faint traces of fire-aspect spiritual resonance allowed them to barely hold on.
"Zhouzhou, we're almost there! Just hang on a little longer. It'll be warmer once we're off the mountain!"
A voice rang out, carrying a distinct Southern Border accent but brimming with encouragement.
It was Xiang Zhaoling.
She, too, was bundled into a round "snowball," though her steps were a little lighter than her companion's.
The other "snowball" was Zhou Mengdie, the close friend she had made at the Dongyuan Sect.
The snow reached her knees. She stumbled through it, each labored step accompanied by gasps, the warm breath from her mouth instantly freezing along the edge of her hood.
"You-stupid Ling'er-"
Even speaking was difficult for her, her voice trembling from the cold. "You-you already said that-three times-halfway up the mountain-"
"You-you're lying again!"
"Hehe."
Xiang Zhaoling gave a slightly sheepish laugh.
Climbing mountains was all about coaxing people along with lies.
When the two of them had gone to the Southern Border before, her father had come to fetch them, making the journey effortless.
But this time, they had sneaked out again with her brother's help, so they had only themselves to rely on.
"I'm